IPZ

Recognizing as a leader in research and high technology, the state Department of Commerce designated the City of Redmond as an Innovation Partnership Zone for Interactive Media and Digital Arts.

The IPZ program has been proven to lead to new technologies, marketable products, company formation, job creation, and other economic opportunities. The City of Redmond partnered with the WIN, EDC of Seattle and King County, OneRedmond, Microsoft Corporation, University of Washington – Bothell, and Digipen Institute of Technology to secure this designation.

As an IPZ for Interactive Media and Digital Arts, Redmond expects to recruit new businesses to the area, leverage the area’s unique combination of opportunities and expertise in the interactive media and digital arts industry, provide a supportive business environment with access to a trained workforce, and support the research and commercialization of technologies related to interactive media and digital arts.

Why they love it here!

“The Seattle area is thriving as one of the country’s most technologically innovative regions. That teamed with our dynamic urban culture and countless recreational options, we truly enjoy a balanced quality of life.”
~ Phil Spencer, Executive Vice President, Gaming at Microsoft

“The greater Seattle area has established itself as the center for game development and business. The support of this community was one of the main reasons we established our business here. Both the ability to hire talent and the support from the other game companies has made it a great place for us to grow our business.”
~ Matt Wilson, Head of Global Platform, Wargaming.net

“Seattle has become the epicenter for the casual game community. The high concentration of creative talent and innovation makes Seattle the perfect home for Big Fish Games.”
~ Paul Thelen, Founder, Big Fish Games

“Seattle has become a hotbed for the games industry, and is one of the most cutting edge cities when it comes to creativity and games innovation. The area’s roots are in casual games, but in recent years, we’re seeing new platforms and new business models emerge from Seattle’s developers and games industry luminaries.”
~ Derrick Morton, Founder and CEO, FlowPlay